Self and Perceived Others' Views of Aging and Their Association with Mental Health in the Second Half of Life.

ABSTRACT

This study focuses on the concepts of subjective age and subjective nearness-to-death (views-of-aging) and examines the association between individuals' chronological age, self, and others' perceptions of these variables and mental health. A total of 267 participants aged 40-95 M = 64.33 provided sociodemographic information and filled out scales assessing self and others' views-of-aging, depressive symptoms, and their well-being. After controlling for covariates, age was not related to the dependent variables, whereas young/far from death self, and perceived others' views-of-aging was related to better mental health. The interaction between young age and young/far from death perceived others', but not self, views-of-aging was associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher well-being. Finally, the interaction between young/far from death self and perceived others' views-of-aging was associated with lower depressive symptoms but not with well-being. These findings provide an initial glance at the complex relations between two types of personal views-of-aging and emphasize the importance of how individuals appraise others' perceptions of their own aging process and life expectancy.